compromise
B2Neutral (used across formal, informal, business, and political contexts)
Definition
Meaning
An agreement or settlement reached by each side making concessions; finding a middle way between opposing positions.
1) The act of settling differences by mutual concession. 2) Accepting standards lower than desirable. 3) Weakening something by accepting lower standards. 4) Bringing into disrepute or danger by indiscreet or risky behavior.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has both positive connotations (constructive agreement) and negative connotations (accepting inferior standards or making something vulnerable). Context determines valence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The noun and verb forms are used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly stronger negative connotation of 'weakness' in some UK political discourse; more consistently neutral/positive in US diplomatic/business contexts.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, with comparable usage across politics, business, and daily life.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
compromise (noun)compromise on/over somethingcompromise with somebodycompromise between A and Bbe prepared/ready/willing to compromiseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A good compromise leaves everyone angry.”
- “Strike a compromise.”
- “Compromise one's principles.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Negotiating contracts, settling disputes between departments, agreeing on budgets or project scope.
Academic
Discussing historical treaties, ethical dilemmas in research, or theoretical models that balance competing factors.
Everyday
Deciding on a restaurant with friends, choosing a film to watch, resolving minor household disagreements.
Technical
In engineering/computing: a design or security compromise (balancing performance vs. cost, or usability vs. security).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Neither side was willing to compromise on their core demands.
- The leaked documents compromised national security.
- We compromised by agreeing to share the costs.
American English
- The senators compromised to pass the bill.
- Don't compromise your integrity for a quick profit.
- They compromised and chose a weekend in July.
adverb
British English
- The decision was reached compromiseably, with both sides yielding.
- (Note: 'Compromise' as an adverb is extremely rare and non-standard. The adverb form is not conventionally used.)
American English
- (Note: 'Compromise' as an adverb is extremely rare and non-standard. The adverb form is not conventionally used.)
adjective
British English
- A compromise deal was finally reached after all-night talks.
- This is a compromise solution that pleases nobody entirely.
- They presented a compromise candidate.
American English
- We settled on a compromise budget figure.
- The committee issued a compromise proposal.
- It was a compromise verdict from the jury.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- They made a compromise: she chose the film, and he chose the restaurant.
- A good friend knows how to compromise.
- We found a fair compromise for sharing the toys.
- The government and the unions reached a compromise on pay increases.
- You can't always get what you want; sometimes you have to compromise.
- The new design is a compromise between style and practicality.
- The negotiations stalled because neither party was prepared to compromise on the key issue.
- She felt that accepting the lower salary would compromise her professional worth.
- The peace treaty was a fragile compromise that satisfied few completely.
- The architect refused to compromise her artistic vision for the sake of budgetary constraints.
- The investigative journalist's safety was compromised after her source was identified.
- The political settlement was an ingenious compromise that deftly balanced competing ideological imperatives.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
COM-PROM-ISE: A PROMISE made by COMing together, where each side PROMISES to give a little.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPROMISE IS A BRIDGE / MEETING IN THE MIDDLE / SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'компромисс' in all contexts, as the Russian word can have a stronger negative connotation of 'dishonorable concession'. In English, it is more neutral.
- Do not confuse with 'compromised' (скомпрометированный) which in English often means 'made vulnerable' rather than 'disgraced'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'compromise' as a countable noun without an article (e.g., 'We need compromise' vs. 'We need a compromise').
- Confusing 'compromise' (agreement) with 'comprise' (consist of).
- Using the preposition 'about' instead of 'on' or 'over' (e.g., 'compromise about the price').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'compromise' with a NEGATIVE connotation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. In negotiations, it's positive (constructive). Regarding standards/safety, it's negative (weakening).
A 'concession' is something you give up. A 'compromise' is the overall agreement made through mutual concessions.
Yes, commonly. As a verb, it can mean 1) to settle by mutual concession, or 2) to weaken or endanger (e.g., 'compromise security').
It usually means a vulnerable or disadvantaged position, often due to a moral or security failing, not simply a negotiated middle ground.
Collections
Part of a collection
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